What is that brings a music band advocating folk music to a seminar on open software? Vayali Folklore Group, the music band, comes into the picture as Vinod Nambiar, its executive director, is leading a session on ‘Documenting culture on FOSS' at the ongoing 4th International FOSS Conference, Kerala, on December 29.
“We are documenting information about people on the banks of the Bharathapuzha, including their art and culture. We are covering the entire course of the river, from Anamalai to Ponnani. This digital community archive is done through open software tools. Although the project has come to a halt due to paucity of funds, we're expecting support from certain quarters.
“Loads of archival material related to folklore are gathering dust in various organisations and institutions. Academicians and not laymen have access to those. Through a digital community archive, we are giving back to the society what we have taken from them.”
Vayali was born at Arangottukara, a small village in Thrissur district, seven years ago to preserve the folklore along the banks of the Nila. Vayali Folklore Group has come a long way since then. Now it runs an eco-bazaar for traditional artisans, is on the responsible tourism itinerary, has a much-sought after bamboo orchestra, is raising funds for ailing artisans/artists, and envisages an educational module to teach lessons of nature conversation through folklore.
There is much more, says Vinod Nambiar, a software engineer who has been instrumental in the formation of Vayali (which stands for Vayalamma or the Goddess of Fields in local lingo). For instance, there is a project to document information regarding bamboo music in India with the support of the National Bamboo Mission. “We were inspired to form a bamboo orchestra after seeing one in Japan at the Traditional Music and Rhythm Festival,” says Vinod.
In the orchestra, which uses only instruments made of bamboo, the flute is the lead instrument. Among other instruments are Mulam Chenda, Mulam Thudi, and Mazha Mooli. The team has come up with innovative instruments as well – an example being a five-drum set.
Vayali has not only got hold of many original folk songs, but has also revived some near-extinct art forms. It has 36 members (had 10 when it started), who, in addition to their jobs, keep alive an art form and make an income from it. Vayali has a junior group as well. “It comprises children from in and around our village, who've shown interest in the work we do,” Vinod says. And the juniors step in when the seniors have other programmes.
Branching out
Vayali is into responsible tourism potential as well. A few years ago it got associated with Blue Yonder, an organisation promoting responsible tourism initiatives in Kerala. “Now tourists come to the village, spend a day here watching the artisans at work at our Eco Bazaar, and in the evening we perform for them,” Vinod says.
The group also plans to work with Mental Health Action (MEHAC), a voluntary foundation, to help ailing artisans. “Last year, three traditional artisans died. We wanted to help them, but our funds were limited. We will now set aside a portion of our income for the needy artisans and MEHAC has agreed to help by way of doctors and medicines. We plan to launch this next month,” Vinod says.
Vayali is also taking forward its nature education module development, with the support of Centre for Environment and Development. It involves educational institutions and the primary aim is to share traditional knowledge systems and to make the coming generation understand the need for preserving them.
